Map of our Boatyards

MDL Berth Holders Celebrate the Festive Season with Cruise to St Malo

MDL berth holders celebrated the Christmas season in style last week, when they took part in MDL’s tenth annual pre-Christmas mini cruise to the historic city of St Malo for a festive weekend away.

Held each year especially for MDL’s Freedom Berthing members and their families, the cruise is a joint collaboration between MDL Marinas and Brittany Ferries and gives berth holders from across MDL’s marinas the chance to socialise and enjoy the festive period together.

This year, 335 MDL customers took part in the cruise, along with their friends and family – including berth holders from MDL’s Sant Carles Marina in Spain!

The ever-popular cruise took place on Friday 12 – Sunday 14 December and headed to the picturesque region of Brittany aboard Brittany Ferries’ flagship cruise ferry, the Pont Aven. The group enjoyed a two night stay in ensuite cabin accommodation, a drinks reception, and a splendid meal on Saturday evening.

The trip gave the group plenty of opportunities to visit the beautiful city, whether it was walking the bustling streets, exploring the Chateau de St Malo or the Grand Aquarium, or taking in St Malo’s exquisite shops to stock up on Christmas ‘essentials’.

Mike Smith, organiser of the trip and Manager at Torquay Marina, commented: “This year’s MDL pre-Christmas cruise was a great success! The trip was sold out and our group had a wonderful time exploring St Malo and doing some Christmas shopping. The cruise has become a Christmas tradition, which gives MDL berth holders from across our marinas the chance to get to know one another better in a relaxed setting and to enjoy the festive season together.”

Working This Winter to Further Improve Your Marina Experience

Posted: 16th December 2014

We pride ourselves on providing the very highest levels of quality and service at our marinas and facilities to our customers throughout the year. That’s why we’ll be investing further in our marina sites all over the country, to make sure that we maintain, and wherever possible improve your marina experience.

Just some of the works planned during 2015 include:

WiFi upgrades at Cobb’s Quay Marina

Upgrades to lighting and the replacement of some electrical systems at Mercury Yacht Harbour

Refurbishment of offices and buildings at Hamble Point Marina

Construction of a new hazardous waste compound and refurbishment of the trailer boat compounds at Northney Marina

Refurbishment of the facilities block in B Basin at Hythe Marina Village

Upgrade to the hoist dock at Shamrock Quay during summer 2015

The 2015 season will also see Mercury Yacht Harbour adding boat lifting to its range of services.

Already completed this year was a re-deck of the catamaran berths at Sparkes Marina, along with improvements to the car park, marina entrance and resurfacing of the boatyard. We’ve also been kept busy resurfacing the car park and boatyard at Saxon Wharf. The berth holder facility block at Shamrock Quay was also refurbished, which was completed in time for the new season and has received lots of positive feedback.

Hamble Point Marina saw new cradle stock, upgraded site electrics, a new marina office and refurbished facilities. Some new dining options also arrived at Cobb’s Quay and Shamrock Quay, as well as continuing maintenance works at many MDL marinas including Hythe Marina Village and Ocean Village Marina.

Nominations Invited For the Sailing Experience of a Lifetime

Posted: 16th December 2014

We’re inviting you to nominate deserving young people for the trip of a lifetime, with nominations now open for the 2015 Sail Training Awards.

We are proud to have run the awards in conjunction with Ocean Youth Trust South for over 20 years. The annual awards are designed to recognise, reward and challenge young people who have shown exceptional accomplishments and qualities which have inspired or supported others.

The winners will receive an unforgettable sailing experience on board the Ocean Youth Trust South’s training yacht, John Laing from Monday 13th April for six nights. They will spend their time living and sailing on board, and will become involved in all aspects of life at sea, including hoisting sails, helping with maintenance, sailing the boat at night and cooking and cleaning with the rest of the crew.

Past winners have included young people who have been outstanding achievers, as well as those who have been involved in voluntary work, those who never had the chance to travel abroad, and those with added family responsibilities.

Anyone working with young people can send in their nominations, including teachers, guide or scout leaders, youth group leaders, friends and employers. Anyone can nominate, apart from parents, guardians or close family. If this sounds like you or someone you know, click here for further information or to make your nomination.

MDL Teams Get Into the Christmas Spirit - But We Need Your Help!

Posted: 16th December 2014

You might already have noticed some Christmassy additions to your local marina recently as our teams get into the Christmas spirit! This year, we’re running a special competition to recognise the MDL marinas that pull out all the stops to spread Christmas cheer among our berth holders - and we need your help.

Our teams will be posting pictures of their festive efforts on social media throughout December and asking you to like and comment on how well you think they have done. Competition categories include: the Best Dressed Christmas Tree, Best Overall Christmas Decorations and the Best Christmas Team Selfie. Your response on our marinas' Facebook and Twitter pages will help us decide which of our marina teams should be awarded the exciting prizes we have on offer…

Our competition will be running right up until Christmas Eve and we will announce our winners in the New Year!

New Year's Eve Party at The Waterfront Bar

On the 31st December 2014

How very vintage! Join us at Shamrock Quay this New Year's Eve for a night of 50's and 60's nostalgia... Dress for the decades and dance the night away to the sounds of the stunning singing trio 'The Lovettes'!! We will provide the food and of course a glass of something bubbly in time for the bells.

Prize Draw Launched for 2015 Round the Island Race

Posted: 6th November 2014

What better incentive to compete in the annual Round the Island Race in 2015 as the ISC launches Prize Draw for three free entries!

Organised annually since 1931 by the Island Sailing Club (ISC), the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race is one of the most iconic and best loved yacht races in the world, taking place annually on one day in June and starting and finishing in Cowes, Isle of Wight. The Race regularly attracts over 1,700 boats and some 16,000 sailors, making it one of the largest yacht races in the world and one of the largest participation sporting events in the UK.

Competitors come from all over the UK, from other parts of Europe and from as far away as Australia and the USA to race the 50 nautical mile course around the Isle of Wight. Starting on the famous Royal Yacht Squadron 'line' in Cowes, the fleet races westabout, to The Needles, round St Catherine's Point and Bembridge Ledge buoy, and back into the Solent to the finish line at Cowes. The Race provides a unique opportunity to watch world-renowned sailors racing against families and first timers. For those not competing, the Island and the South coast have many great vantage points to watch the Race unfold, such as the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, Hurst Castle, and The Needles.

To entice you to enter this extraordinary yachting extravaganza, the ISC is running a PRIZE DRAW TO WIN ONE FREE ENTRY TO NEXT YEAR’S RACE ON 27TH JUNE!

The Draw, OPENING ON 10th NOVEMBER, will have one entry up for grabs on each of 9th January, 6th February and 6th March. So go for it and tick off another item on your to do list!

London Boat Show 2018

The new 5 day London Boat Show is a celebration of everything you can do on the water. Re-defined and re-imagined, this year’s world-famous show is set to be better than ever.

Climb aboard classic boats and modern yachts, pick up the latest marine technology, and spend quality time with some sailing legends.

Bringing a world of inspiration, on water experiences and exclusive deals, the London Boat Show 2018 will be packed with global, national and boutique brands, first looks, loads of retailers and even unique opportunities to get on the water indoors.

Free Storage Offer

From 1st November 2014 until 31st March 2015

S. D. Marine, Hamble Point MarinaIf you buy one of the boats S. D. Marine Ltd have available for sale at Hamble Point Marina, you qualify for free storage ashore until 31st March 2015. This gives you the opportunity to purchase the boat you want, have it stored over the winter before preparing for the new season. Helping you to cut the cost during the expensive months of winter.
Call us for more details on 023 8045 7278.

WhisperPower Piccolo 4Kva Marine Generator

From 13th October 2014 until 31st December 2014

Sailfish Marine, Shamrock QuaySpecial introductory price on this compact and quiet running marine generator
New! WhisperPower Piccolo 4Kva variable speed marine generator - special introductory price of £3,695.00 plus VAT and delivery until the end of December 2014.
We're also offering special prices on installation packages. Full details can be found on our website.